Zachary LaVine is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls. Drafted 13th overall in 2014 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he's a two-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion and a two-time NBA All-Star (2021, 2022). LaVine also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
1971: Bob Love's 30-Point Streak
Back in 1971, Bob Love, a prominent player for the Chicago Bulls, showcased his scoring prowess by achieving a 30-point streak, scoring at least 30 points in each of the Bulls' first three games of the season.
1986: Michael Jordan's Scoring Streak
In 1986, Michael Jordan, playing for the Chicago Bulls, achieved a remarkable scoring feat by scoring at least 30 points in each of the team's first three games of the season.
1988: Epic Slam Dunk Contest Final Round
The final round of the 2016 Slam Dunk Contest, where Zach LaVine competed against Aaron Gordon, was compared to the legendary contest between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1988.
March 10, 1995: Birth of Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine was born on March 10, 1995.
1997: Youngest Slam Dunk Contest Champion Since Kobe Bryant
Zach LaVine's victory in the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest made him the youngest champion since Kobe Bryant, who won in 1997 at the age of 18.
June 20, 2012: Commitment to UCLA
Zach LaVine verbally committed to playing basketball at UCLA on June 20, 2012.
2013: High School Accolades and Recognition
In 2013, Zach LaVine received several accolades as a high school senior, including being named the Associated Press Washington state player of the year and Washington Mr. Basketball.
January 26, 2014: Shooting Slump
Starting on January 26, 2014, Zach LaVine went through a six-game shooting slump during his freshman season at UCLA.
April 16, 2014: Declaration for the NBA Draft
Zach LaVine declared for the NBA draft on April 16, 2014, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.
July 8, 2014: Signing with the Timberwolves
Zach LaVine signed his rookie scale contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 8, 2014.
2014: NBA Draft Selection
Zach LaVine was selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft with the 13th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
February 2015: NBA All-Star Weekend Success
During the 2015 NBA All-Star Weekend, Zach LaVine won the Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the youngest champion since Kobe Bryant in 1997.
October 21, 2015: Contract Extension with Timberwolves
The Timberwolves exercised their third-year team option on Zach LaVine's rookie-scale contract on October 21, 2015, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.
March 2016: LaVine's Television Appearance
In March 2016, Zach LaVine stepped into the world of television, making a guest appearance on an episode of the Disney XD series "Kirby Buckets."
October 24, 2016: Fourth-Year Contract Option Exercised
The Timberwolves exercised their fourth-year team option on Zach LaVine's rookie scale contract on October 24, 2016, extending the contract through the 2017–18 season.
2016: Jimmy Butler's Scoring Streak
In 2016, Jimmy Butler, then playing for the Chicago Bulls, displayed an impressive scoring run, achieving a streak of 15 consecutive games with at least 20 points.
2016: Back-to-Back Slam Dunk Contest Champion
Zach LaVine became the fourth NBA player to ever win consecutive dunk contests in 2016.
2016: Rising Stars Challenge MVP and Consecutive Slam Dunk Contest Win
Zach LaVine was named MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge and won his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest during the 2016 All-Star Weekend.
February 4, 2017: Season-Ending Injury
Zach LaVine was ruled out for the rest of the season on February 4, 2017, after tearing his ACL.
June 22, 2017: Trade to the Chicago Bulls
Zach LaVine was traded to the Chicago Bulls on June 22, 2017, along with Kris Dunn and the rights to Lauri Markkanen.
2017: Trade to the Chicago Bulls
Zach LaVine was traded to the Chicago Bulls in 2017.
2017: Jimmy Butler's All-Star Selection
In 2017, Jimmy Butler, representing the Chicago Bulls, earned a spot in the NBA All-Star Game, showcasing his skills and impact as a player.
2017: Bulls' Playoff Drought Ends
The Chicago Bulls ended their playoff drought in 2017, marking their return to the postseason after a period of absence.
January 13, 2018: Return from Injury
Zach LaVine returned from his ACL injury on January 13, 2018, scoring 14 points in a win against the Detroit Pistons.
July 6, 2018: Bulls Match Offer Sheet, Retaining LaVine
Just two days after the Sacramento Kings extended a significant offer sheet to Zach LaVine, the Chicago Bulls exercised their right of first refusal on July 6, 2018, matching the offer and keeping LaVine in Chicago.
July 6, 2018: LaVine Receives Offer Sheet from Kings
On July 6, 2018, Zach LaVine, a restricted free agent at the time, received a lucrative four-year, $80 million offer sheet from the Sacramento Kings.
February 23, 2019: LaVine's Career-High 42 Points
Zach LaVine had a standout performance on February 23, 2019, scoring a then career-high 42 points in a thrilling 126-116 victory against the Boston Celtics.
November 16, 2019: LaVine's 36-Point Performance Against Nets
Zach LaVine delivered a strong performance on November 16, 2019, scoring 36 points for the Chicago Bulls in a hard-fought loss to the Brooklyn Nets.
January 25, 2020: LaVine's Triple-Double Performance
Zach LaVine showcased his all-around skills on January 25, 2020, recording an impressive triple-double with 44 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 118-106 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
February 25, 2020: LaVine's 41 Points Against Thunder
On February 25, 2020, Zach LaVine delivered a stellar scoring performance, putting up 41 points for the Chicago Bulls, though they narrowly lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-122.
April 2020: LaVine Gets Engaged
Zach LaVine celebrated a personal milestone in April 2020 when he got engaged to his longtime girlfriend.
2020: LaVine Selected for Team USA at Olympics
Zach LaVine's basketball prowess earned him a spot on Team USA for the 2020 Summer Olympics, initially scheduled for 2020 but postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Olympic Gold Medalist
Zach LaVine won a gold medal as part of the 2020 U.S. Olympic team in Tokyo.
February 24, 2021: LaVine's First All-Star Selection
Zach LaVine achieved a significant career milestone on February 24, 2021, when he was named a reserve for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, marking his first All-Star selection.
November 19, 2021: LaVine Leads Bulls to Victory Over Nuggets
Zach LaVine showcased his scoring prowess on November 19, 2021, dropping a season-high 36 points to propel the Chicago Bulls to a 114-108 road win over the Denver Nuggets.
2021: LaVine Wins Olympic Gold Medal
Zach LaVine achieved a pinnacle of basketball success in 2021, contributing to Team USA's gold medal victory in men's basketball at the Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.
2021: First NBA All-Star Selection
Zach LaVine was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in his career in 2021.
August 2022: Birth of LaVine's Son
Zach LaVine and his partner welcomed a new addition to their family in August 2022 with the birth of their son, Saint Thomas Lavine.
December 4, 2022: LaVine's Strong Performance Despite Loss
Zach LaVine delivered an impressive performance on December 4, 2022, recording 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals, but the Chicago Bulls fell short against the Sacramento Kings, losing 110-101.
2022: LaVine's Second All-Star Selection
Zach LaVine continued to solidify his status as a star player in 2022, earning his second consecutive selection as a reserve for the NBA All-Star Game.
2022: Second NBA All-Star Selection
Zach LaVine was named an NBA All-Star for the second time in his career in 2022.
January 6, 2023: LaVine's Efficient Scoring Night
Zach LaVine exhibited his scoring efficiency on January 6, 2023, putting up 41 points on an impressive 14-of-19 shooting from the field, including 11-of-13 from beyond the three-point line, contributing to the Chicago Bulls' 126-112 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers
October 28, 2023: LaVine Scores Career-High 51 Points
Zach LaVine etched his name in the record books on October 28, 2023, achieving a remarkable career-high by scoring 51 points in a game against the Detroit Pistons, despite the Chicago Bulls ultimately losing the match 118-102.
February 2024: LaVine Undergoes Right Foot Surgery
In February 2024, the Chicago Bulls announced that Zach LaVine underwent surgery on his right foot as part of his recovery process, aiming to address an ongoing issue.